Louisiana State Parks sites have been featured in movie and television releases including "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Stay Alive," HBO's "True Blood," "Stuck in the Suburbs," "All the Kings' Men" and even on CBS' "The Amazing Race."

Louisiana's deep water ports

Did you know that Louisiana's five deep water ports handle more than 457 million tons of U.S. waterborne commerce a year?

Quality - Louisiana State Library85% of the users of the State Library indicated that the State Library's services and resources was a good value for the State.

$13.90 is the return on investment for every dollar spent by the Office of Tourism. Over 175,000 people were directly employed by the Louisiana travel and tourism industry in 2004. In terms of production, $5.9 billion (3.8%) of Louisiana's Gross State Product was directly attributable to expenditures by visitors to Louisiana

Every dollar in state support for the Arts leverages $7 in earned and contributed revenue. Louisiana's cultural enterprises provide nearly 144,000 jobs for Louisiana citizens, accounting for 7.6% of total employment. Arts has a total economic impact of $934 million in Louisiana.

Visitor spending at Louisiana State Parks returns $3.23 in state taxes for every dollar spend on operating and maintaining all our beautiful parks. Out-of-state visitors to Louisiana State Parks spent almost $12 million in Louisiana and produced an economic impact of over $24 million. Louisiana residents spent another $29.2 million while visiting the parks.

Thirteen Louisiana State Parks sites are on the National Register of Historic Places. They include: • Audubon State Historic Site• Centenary State Historic Site• Fort Pike State Historic Site• Fort Jesup State Historic Site• Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site• Mansfield State Historic Site• Marksville State Historic Site• Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site• Port Hudson State Historic Site• Poverty Point State Historic Site• Otis House at Fairview-Riverside State Park• Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site• Winter Quarters State Historic Site

Louisiana State Parks Visitation

Over two million people visited a Louisiana State Park last year.

Louisiana State Parks Grow and Renew

The Louisiana Office of State Parks has spent nearly $80 million in major construction projects since 2004, providing two brand-new parks and a new historic site, adding cabins and campsites to existing parks and building visitor center at one park, the preservation area and three historic sites.

Louisiana State Parks Wireless Internet

The Louisiana Office of State Parks provides free wireless internet access at all 20 recreational parks. Extensive coverage areas include most cabins, RV slips and campsites.

Louisiana State Parks Honors National Parks Service Senior Pass Program

Visitors who hold an America the Beautiful Senior or Access Pass, and whose home State Park system honor the America the Beautiful passes for camping discounts, are entitled to a 50% reduction on camping fees at Louisiana State Parks. Certain restrictions apply, see State Parks' fees & facilities page for more information.

Louisiana State Parks Draw Media Attention

Louisiana State Parks sites have been featured in movie and television releases including "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Stay Alive," HBO's "True Blood," "Stuck in the Suburbs," "All the Kings' Men" and even on CBS' "The Amazing Race."

Capitol Park Welcome Center

The main meeting room in the Capitol Park Welcome Center is named after Margaret Taylor, wife of U.S. President Zachary Taylor. The couple resided in a small house near the present day location of Capitol Park until Taylor was elected to the Presidency.

Directions:Follow I-10 to I-510/LA 47 south to Chalmette. Take a left on LA 46 and proceed through Violet to Poydras. Turn right onto LA 39 south at Poydras. The park is located one-half mile on the left between Caernarvon and Braithwaite. Or, from the French Quarter, take North Rampart (LA 46) south through Violet to Poydras. Turn right onto LA 39 south to Caernarvon. The park is located one-half mile on the left.

St. Bernard State Park is the ideal spot for visitors who are seeking a family atmosphere and natural experience, as well as for campers who don't want to or cannot stray far from civilization. Many campers consider combining a camping vacation with a touring vacation of the New Orleans area. The Chalmette National Historic Park, Jackson Barracks, and other historic sites and plantation homes are also nearby.

A local family business donated the land for St. Bernard State Park to Louisiana in 1971. Today, St. Bernard State Park provides a much-needed recreation area, as well as relaxing and enjoyable surroundings for anyone wishing to experience a portion of Louisiana's natural beauty.

Located right along the Mississippi River, the park contains a network of man-made lagoons which provides a peaceful, natural setting for relaxation. Woodlands meet wetlands in St. Bernard and the park's nature trail is the perfect way to introduce children to the joy of discovery in nature.

Picnic tables, barbeque grills, restrooms, and a large, covered pavilion complete with a grill are ideal for a family outing. The swimming pool and bathhouse will delight youngsters and their families all summer long. Visitors may also launch their boats one-tenth of a mile from the park's entrance in the Caernarvon waterway and experience some great fresh and salt water fishing.

America the Beautiful Senior and Access Passes (formerly Golden Age & Golden Access Passports) (Available through the National Park Service. Click here for more information)Holders of the Passes, whose state of residence also honors the America the Beautiful pass, are entitled to a 50% reduction on camping fees at Louisiana State Parks. (Passport holders are allowed one site per passport).

Pavilion

$60 per day

Maximum Occupancy of 60 people.*Unit is equipped with electrical and water hookups, and with grills/fire pits.

Water Playground - Louisiana State Parks' water playgrounds operate Tuesdays through Sundays, April 1 through October 31, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; the facilities will be closed on Mondays for cleaning and maintenance. Please contact the park directly, to confirm that the playground is open or for additional information.

Fairview-Riverside State Park (12 miles east of Madisonville on LA Hwy. 22) - Nestled among magnificent live oaks at the the edge of the cool clear waters of the Tchefuncte River, this park features 81 improved campsites, excellent fishing, canoeing, and picnicking. A nearby boat ramp offers access to the park and Lake Pontchartrain.

Fort Pike State Historic Site (Adjacent to "Old Spanish Trail" US 90 approximately 23 miles east of downtown New Orleans) - This historic masonry fort was completed in 1827 to defend New Orleans. Stroll through arched casemates and stand overlooking the Rigolets as sentries once did, enjoy living history programs, visit the museum, or picnic at the pavilion.

Louisiana State Museum (French Quarter, New Orleans) - One of New Orleans' top ten attractions, the State Museum is comprised of the Cabildo, 1850 House, the Old U.S. Mint, and the Presbytere, which houses a year round Mardi Gras exhibit.

New Orleans and the Historic French Quarter - Visit downtown New Orleans, museums, casinos, Aquarium of the Americas, the Riverwalk, or take a cruise on the Mississippi River.

Chalmette Battlefield-Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve (8606 W. St. Bernard Hwy., Chalmette) - This is the site of the Battle of New Orleans, an American victory over the British in the War of 1812. Visitors may also tour Beauregard House and Chalmette National Cemetery.

Isleño Cultural Center-Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve (Violet) - Managed by the National Park Service, the museum depicts the history of the Isleños, descendants of Spaniards from the Canary Islands, now living in St. Bernard.

San Bernardo Scenic Byway - Takes you from downtown New Orleans via Rampart Street to LA 46 in Chalmette, site of the Battle of New Orleans, past the ruins of De La Ronde Plantation, Ducros Museum and Library, and the Isleños Museum, through the historic fishing villages of Yscloskey and Hopedale, and past the 1787 St. Bernard Cemetery.

Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge (20 minutes northeast of downtown New Orleans off I-10 east) - You can fish, hike, bike, or canoe the wildest part of New Orleans in these scenic wetlands. There are free tours every weekend in this prime birding area.

Canary Islands Descendants Association Museum (600 St. Bernard Parkway, Hwy 39, Adjancent to St. Bernard State Park) - Visit the "Lopez House" featuring a genealogy room with a library, artifacts and memorabilia centered on the "Islenos Culture." Call (504) 682-1010 for more information. The site is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For groups of 10 or more, please call for reservations.